Re-Reviewed: Batman 1989 remains a benchmark for the Dark Knight

Translating the Caped Crusader from the comic book pages to the big screen has been going on for decades and Batman’s success was pivotal in that.

Batman was prominent in the comics almost since his DC Comics debut back in 1939, and he has continued his meteoric rise ever since. But he certainly hit new heights when Michael Keaton took the character on in the movie now affectionately referred to as Batman 1989.

It was a massive box office success, and helped set the stage for future comic books movies on the silver screen. This was a big budget project with huge actors that still holds up more than 30 years after it was first released.

Batman jumps off the page

Prior to Batman 1989, the Dark Knight had already become one of the most prolific media properties around. And that only continued to be amplified after the release of the film. Batman has appeared pretty much anywhere and everywhere since.

This includes radio programs, movie serials, feature films and so much more. Several of these media appearances also include a split between live-action and animation. Once video games became a thing, Batman was prominent there, as well.

For a lot of people, the 1960s TV series Batman played a huge role in their views of the character. It starred Adam West as the Caped Crusader in an incredibly colorful and kitschy interpretation of the character. For many, it was almost cartoonish in its depictions.

But that doesn’t change the fact that it was an absolute juggernaut of a pop culture phenomenon, one that still has influence today. It even had its own feature film, referred to these days as Batman 1966.

Batman goes dark

The influence of Adam West’s version of the Caped Crusader was a double-edged sword. It made the character much more popular during its era but it took him in what could be referred to as a less-serious direction in the comics, one that didn’t always work.

Dennis O’Neil took over writing duties in the Batman comics in the 1970s, leaving the campiness of the ’60s behind and making the Dark Knight dark once again. O’Neil might not have created the character, but he made Batman the foreboding, menacing character fans are familiar with today.

All of this helped set the stage for Tim Burton’s vision of Batman that would hit theatres in 1989. Without O’Neil’s work in the ’70s, it would have been impossible for this darker version of the character to come to life. Thus, the studio might have expected something more like the ’60s show if they didn’t have his work to pull from.

At the point Batman 1989 had come out, Burton had only directed Pee-wee’s Big Adventure and Beetlejuice. But Beetlejuice in particular gave fans a solid idea of the dark, comedic adventure fans would be in store for in his next movie.

Batman 1989 becomes legendary

Keeping in mind that Tim Burton was still relatively unknown as a director at the time, the cast was key. The movie featured Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Jack Nicholson as The Joker and Kim Basinger as Vicki Vale.

Keaton set the standard for what it takes to play Batman, a role he is set to return to in the future. Kim Basinger was excellent as the nosey reporter. But Jack Nicholson took The Joker to new heights, creating a lunatic that has inspired generations of writers and artists.

Part of the reason why Batman 1989 remains relevant is that it stayed away from being a Batman origin story. It also avoided things that would date it to the late ’80s and early ’90s. The movie watches a bit like a timeless period piece, similar to Batman: The Animated Series.

While the rest of the 1990s Batman film franchise didn’t meet the standard set by Batman 1989, it remains one of the best comic book movies ever made. And the Caped Crusader’s future big screen adaptations might not have happened without its success.

Are you a fan of Batman 1989? Have you seen the movie? Let us know in the comments below!